Oregon Trails

An Occasional Newsletter

from

The Association of Oregon Counties

Legislators Still in Salem 

What's the end game? 

June 11, 2013

Movement on the Legislature's key public safety bill this session brought district attorneys, sheriffs, police chiefs, and key legislators together for intense negotiations this past week. HB 3194, which contains the 19 policy options from the Governor's Public Safety Commission, focuses on keeping Oregon's prison growth flat and reinvesting dollars into local counties.

While AOC has not taken a position on the bill, the organization has been at the forefront of the discussion on the public safety incentive fund that would be created. Dollars would be allocated to counties based on an opt-in program. Initial target for the incentive fund was approximately $30 million.

State Rep. Jeff Barker, D-Aloha, provided an update at Monday's AOC Public Safety Committee on some of the details.

Some of the deal includes no immediate changes to Measure 11 but a task force to study Measure 11 issues for juveniles. Changes to Measure 57, driving while suspended and marijuana prison sentences, and the Alternative to Incarceration Program (AIP) are also anticipated. There will also be a task force to study costs at the Dept. of Corrections.

As of Friday, parties that were involved in the discussions came to an agreement on policy aspects of the bill. What remains unsettled is the budget allocations for savings that are realized from the changes. The bill is currently being vetted by the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Public Safety to see where it fits into the current budget discussions.

Parties to litigation challenging the State's authority to kill wolves linked to depredation of livestock reached agreement in late May, and the result will be statutory provisions of House Bill 3452B and related rulemaking. Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands, the Oregon Cattlemen's Association, and Department of Fish & Wildlife agreed that:

• Livestock owners will implement non-lethal measures to deter wolves from killing livestock, and if these measures are unsuccessful in preventing chronic depredations, ODFW and livestock producers will have lawful means to lethally control wolves.
• ODFW will ensure wolf management is transparent and based on the best science available.
• Wolf populations will continue to recover, while assuring livestock owners have reasonable protections.

The distressed area single unit housing program will be modified. 

The Senate Finance & Revenue Committee quickly agreed with the House and sent House Bill 2349B to the Senate for passage. The bill modifies a successful low-income housing program of the City of Portland that is supported by Multnomah County. 

The current program permits a city to designate a "distressed area" and permit building of dwelling units within the area that have a market value of no more than 120 percent of the median sales price of the units within the city. These units are exempt from property taxes if jurisdictions in combination with the city that total at least 51 percent of the tax rate agree. 

House Bill 2349B would extend the life of the program to 2025 and remove the requirement to designate a distressed area, thus permitting more flexibility in siting these low-income homes. The bill also incorporates a provision requested by AOC that if a city has 40 percent or more of the total combined tax rate on the property, the exemption applies only if the county agrees. This provision will encourage city-county collaboration in instances where the city could meet the 51 percent combined-tax-rate requirement with agreement of a small special district or school district, rather that its general local government partner.

Legislators are deliberating funding another round of Connect Oregon that would provide grants for multi-modal transportation projects. Many counties have been Connect Oregon grant recipients and have realized significant economic benefits from the projects.  

However, there have been concerns raised over not receiving reports back from grant recipients on the economic benefits and jobs created. When ODOT prepared a recent report for the Legislature, there were a number of recipients that did not respond.  

Legislators would like to include accountability measures as part of the legislation. These measures could include holding back 4 percent of the award until the project is completed and 1 percent for receipt of the final report. If the grant recipient does not respond, it could be ineligible to apply for the next round of Connect Oregon if reports are not received. 

Please note that ODOT is sending out letters this week to grant recipients to provide this economic data for the report. It is important that you respond to the letters and provide ODOT the information that has been requested. If you have any questions, please contact Ann Hanus.

County Representative on the Public Transportation Advisory Committee Needed!

Columbia County Commissioner Tony Hyde testified in favor of SB 245 before the House Revenue Committee on Monday. Under SB 245, Enterprise Zone sponsors would be the decision making authority to designate an enterprise zone or a change in the boundary of an enterprise zone. 

The sponsoring entity's decision would be subject to a positive determination by the Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD) that the proposed Enterprise Zone meets statutory requirements. Under current law, the OBDD makes the final decision regarding the designation of an Enterprise Zone or boundary change. 

An amendment was adopted that would increase the number of Electronic Commerce designation overlays by five from the current ten. Electronic commerce designations have been a successful economic development tool to encourage internet commerce business.